Twenty four hours. For Dottie Minter, those 24 hours represented life or death, but at the time neither she nor her husband Charlie knew a time bomb was ticking within her heart. Both Minters have been lifelong proponents for healthy living and proper nutrition. They were the co-founders of The Newtown Racquet Club (now known as the NAC), and have always been conscious of the power of exercise. Charlie, a high-profile financial guru whose insights are frequently requested on television business channels, says he relieves the stress of Wall Street with a regular exercise regimen. Dottie also has been equally committed to an active lifestyle. She maintains a healthy weight, rides horses, plays tennis, and avoids fatty foods. Technically, Charlie and Dottie were perfect examples of two healthy adults, but Dottie’s body began telling her that something was amiss. “I would experience days of a burping attack,” she said. “At first, I adjusted my diet because I thought I had indigestion or ulcers, then I started taking over the counter medication. Nothing helped.” At Dottie’s insistence, her cardiologist from Comprehensive Cardiology ordered a stress test. That is when the clock began to tick. Dottie passed the stress test, but she still did not feel right. Her physician then ordered an EKG, which she also passed. “My body was telling me that despite the good results from the tests, something was wrong,” Dottie said. “I was insistent that we follow whatever was causing my discomfort.” It was then that her physician decided that a heart catherization was in order. Charlie admits he thought the procedure would be routine, and Dottie...
Tom and Sue McGrath share many personal and professional interests and hobbies, but their foremost compelling passions involve family, faith and community. The McGraths have been ardent supporters of St. Mary because the philosophies of the hospital are so in concert with their own personal values and beliefs. They feel strongly that giving to St. Mary is an investment in the community and their family’s future. Tom expressed his great respect for St. Mary’s Community Ministries, Mother Bachmann Maternity Center, and Children’s Health Center which all provide social services and medical care to area families regardless of their ability to pay. When asked why he and Sue chose St. Mary as their charity of choice, Tom, as a member of the Foundation Board, quickly answered, “St. Mary is the epitome of diversity. Where else can you find an organization that does so much good for the community as a whole with such a wide spectrum of services?” Sue added, “St. Mary treats the human spirit, mind and body—the person as a whole being.” The Mcgraths freely express their gratitude for St. Mary’s cutting edge Cancer Center and heart and Vascular Center located so closely to their family roots and how blessed they feel to have fine healthcare and advanced medical technology so near should the need ever arise. “It is comforting to have a faith-based, non-profit hospital right around the corner,” says Tom. Although Tom’s Huntingdon Valley-based residential and commercial construction business, McBrick Building group, and Sue’s avid schedule of volunteerism keep them both extremely busy, Tom and Sue have a passion for living life to the fullest, both...
When Jim McCaffrey opened his first supermarket in 1979, he wrote a prophetic letter to all his customers, promising that his store would be an integral part of the community. “I wanted everyone to know that we would provide financial support whenever possible, but equally as important, we would be involved with the social well-being of the area as well.” St. Mary Medical Center can attest that Jim is a man of his word. However busy he may be in running his successful businesses, Jim has found time to serve St. Mary in several leadership capacities for 18 years, both as a Foundation Board member for nine years and an equal amount of time on the Medical Center Board. Currently, he is Chair of that Board and was co-chair of the last capital campaign. Jim and his wife Lisa are generous supporters, donating both time and financial resources. When Sister Clare invited Jim to become involved with St. Mary, Jim admits he had not considered what a life-changing invitation that could become. “I found that once I became engaged in activities at the hospital and learned about the wonderful medical practices that were happening here, the feeling of wanting to do more became contagious,” Jim said. “It has never been a matter of not having the time or energy, but what can I do next to help St. Mary’s mission.” Jim is often asked to give speeches to the St. Mary community, and likes to tell his audiences that he is the highest paid person on campus. That statement usually makes his audiences sit up and take notice. Jim...
Registered Investment Advisor, teacher, surfer, public speaker, author, licensed pilot, car enthusiast, triathlon runner…all these adjectives describe Steve Mazda. But if there is a common theme to all of his endeavors, it is his firmly held belief that you can be whatever you dream, and Steve Mazda has dreamed big all of his life. However contagious and spontaneous his enthusiasm, Steve is very disciplined about the decisions he makes, applying specific principles for making prudent decisions. “Become aware of your options, don’t make decisions based on emotion alone, read the small print, evaluate the investment properly, and gain as much knowledge as possible to make a prudent decision,” explained Steve. He admits, once he makes a decision, he goes forward full bore. That energy, insight, and commitment have led Steve and his wife Cindy to join the ranks of St. Mary Medical Center financial supporters. In 2004 Eileen Moser invited the Mazdas to a banquet and seated them next to Sue and Michael Wert, and Carter Van Dyke. “We were in the process of building our dream house at the time, so we welcomed the conversation with Carter, who engaged us in the Healing Gardens project, and Sue and Mike invited us to participate in a few St. Mary activities,” said Steve, explaining how he became part of the St. Mary family. “Before I buy a stock for my company, I investigate. I visit the company. I ask questions. I find out about the leadership,” said Steve. “I went through the same process with St. Mary. I met the members of the Board. The outreach programs are important because...
Putting a smile on the faces of our littlest patients One of the most important decisions expectant parents will make during the course of their pregnancy is where to go for prenatal care and where to deliver their precious bundle of joy. That decision is even more vital when potential complications exist. While other area hospitals have shown a decline in maternity and labor & delivery care — in fact, some have closed their departments altogether — St. Mary has experienced a dramatic increase in the need for these services, a trend that promises to continue well into the future. Dr. Prem Marlapudi, Director of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and Chairman of Pediatrics, is a strong supporter of the plans for the upcoming expansion and renovations to the Labor & Delivery Unit including the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and together with his wife, Dr. Grace Marlapudi, recently gave a generous donation to these projects. “These renovations are long overdue. It is critical that parents and babies have access to the most advanced, state-of-the-art equipment and qualified medical professionals.” These modifications and expansion of the NICU will allow for the best care in a semi-private setting, a component that is crucial in allowing these babies to thrive and bond with their parents. Dr. Marlapudi explained that in effect, Labor & Delivery is the backbone of a community hospital. It is generally a department where lifelong relationships begin and many decisions for the future are made. Based on what a family experiences, they will encourage other family members, friends and community members to utilize the services of St. Mary for everything from a...
